Today's News

Construction is completed on a new road connecting Crossroads Institute's main campus on East Stuart Drive and the new Higher Education Center building on Cranberry Road in Galax.
The road was opened to the public Sept. 5 and eliminated the tricky left turn that used to be required when traveling to the Higher Education Center from the main building.

HILLSVILLE ― Family and friends of the Jamie Gravley, who died at the young age of 22 from a blood clot, will honor his memory by sharing Christmas joy with deserving children.
Project Jamie's Christmas Wish will try to emulate Jamie in life ― his caring and his generosity for others, said wife Melanie Gravley and mother Dee Brooks.
Gravley's death, caused by a blood clot that traveled to his lungs, left his loved ones stunned, because of his youth and general good health.

Don’t touch the gas
In response to the caller who has to ride the brakes, try not riding the gas pedal. If your car goes more than 25 mph with your foot off the pedal, then a visit to your mechanic might be in order. Your car is a danger to all of us. Try crossing four lanes of traffic on foot or pulling out in front of four lanes of heavy traffic traveling at 45 mph. What’s your hurry anyway?

After an appalling display of inefficiency in helping disabled veterans earlier this year — nearly 900,000 had pending disability claims, and two-thirds of those had been waiting for at least four months — the Department of Veterans Affairs has made progress.
In four months, the backlog has shrunk by nearly 20 percent, President Barack Obama told the Disabled American Veterans convention recently. Claims processors are working overtime through next month, and a switch to computerized records rather than manual has helped speed the work.

The community is invited to attend the second annual 9/11 Memorial Service on Sept. 11, beginning at 10 a.m. in front of the Galax Police Department.
This year will mark the 12th anniversary of the tragedy, when America witnessed a terrorist attack that resulted in nearly 3,000 lost lives.
The event is hosted by Twin County Funerals, which introduced the ceremony last year to thank the area’s first responders.

HILLSVILLE — A 33-year-old Cana man allegedly demanded a ride from a Pizza Hut patron on Labor Day and, when she refused, police say he tried to steal her purse.
The unidentified victim resisted and got assistance to turn her alleged assailant, Daniel Eric Brame, over to Hillsville police officers, according to Chief Greg Bolen.
The incident occurred at about 10 p.m. on Sept. 2, when Brame allegedly approached the victim and asked her to drive him somewhere.

In light of community backlash against the recent introduction and enforcement of new speed limits in Galax, city officials are publicly standing by the changes.
City Manager Keith Barker explained the reasons behind the decision to alter several speed limits in the area, including a reduced speed from 45 to 35 mph to the East Stuart Drive stretch and a reduction from 35 to 25 mph on West Stuart Drive.

HILLSVILLE — Hookah Hook-up owner Ayman Anwar’s vision for his second Main Street business isn’t hazy at all — he says it’s all about the atmosphere.
The idea to open the smoking lounge next door to his Italian restaurant, Juliano’s, is unique in the Twin Counties, he said. But, he believes a unique attraction is something the town could benefit from.

The Virginia Department of Transportation has some new additions and plans for long-term improvements for interstates 77 and 81 in Southwest Virginia.
A traffic pattern change on I-81 at Exit 81 at Fort Chiswell will increase the amount of traffic that can access Interstate 77 southbound toward North Carolina.
Motorists now have the option to use the middle lane of I-81 northbound to exit onto I-77 south or to stay on I-81 north.
Prior to the change, only the right lane provided access to I-77 and the middle lane continued north on I-81.

Lora Leath and Greg Bond recently announced their engagement and upcoming wedding.

Leath is the daughter of Ray and the late Mary Leonard of Galax. She is a graduate of Galax High School and employed at Southwest Virginia Home Health Care.
Bond is the son of Don and Barbara Bond of Galax. He is a graduate of Carroll County High School and is self-employed.
A wedding is planned for 2 p.m. on Sept. 7 at First Christian Church in Galax. A reception will follow at the Galax Country Club. Family and friends are invited.